VIRGIN VOYAGES cruising 2020 from Miami + VIRGIN Trains

► Watch the video of Richard Branson on Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady.  Branson and the Virgin Voyages team attended the ship’s Sea Trials where they tested the ship in open water. Branson also ceremoniously painted the first red of the iconic Virgin Voyages’ flag on the side of the ship.   B-roll of this moment can be viewed here:    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YLGSyJKTa3Y3tmwS5eLnXLY9CuHBJsVJ/view

VIRGIN VOYAGES…..due to starting sailing 2020 out of Port Miami. We thousands of resident Miami Brits can’t wait!
I’ll be aboard, British shipmates:  I can see the cruise ships from my home in downtown Miami–PK.

• BOOK NOW:    See updates and photos of the beautiful first ship Scarlet Lady and book a cruise on www.virginvoyages.com
• Sign up on website www.virgin.com to get their newsletter with the latest Virgin happenings. 
• TO WORK FOR VIRGIN VOYAGES. Now hiring!! Call the HQ in Plantation [Ft. Lauderdale] [954] 361-9500.  Ask to speak to somebody about working at Virgin Voyages.   Also, see current needs posted https://www.linkedin.com/company/virgin-voyages/jobs/ 

When Captain Williams takes the helm of Scarlet Lady in spring 2020, she will become the first Canadian woman to be captain of a ship for a major cruise brand.  FIND COMPLETE DETAILS ON ALL   www.virginvoyages.com

• NOTE:   VIRGIN VOYAGES will be Adults-Only on its new “Lady” line ships sailing out of Port Miami.   “No children aboard will be welcomed by many and  a direct result of listening to future sailors and travel partners, ”  the company said.  I agree!  Judging from press releases I get, Virgin Voyages, like Sir Richard himself, will be putting the emphasis on FUN and FROLICS.  They promise all night dance parties. This is not your granny’s cruiseship!—PK
  

►  April 4, 2019  Photo [Sir Richard is on the right]. Sir Richard Branson was in Miami to unveil new VIRGIN TRAINS USA, formerly Brightline.  
I was there [as media and passenger since I live a few blocks away,  thrilled to be part of this exciting event—PK.   Preaching patience and acknowledging the challenges ahead for this new train line, Sir Richard told us : “If you have a big vision about something, you’ve just got to stick with it, prove people wrong and get it done.”   For Virgin Trains USA latest news see www.gobrightline.com 

►►► TO WORK FOR VIRGIN VOYAGES—Now hiring!! Call the HQ in Plantation [Ft. Lauderdale] [954] 361-9500.  Ask to speak to somebody about working at Virgin Voyages.   Also, see current needs posted https://www.linkedin.com/company/virgin-voyages/jobs/ 

VIRGIN TRAINS USA was rebranded April 2019 in Miami by Sir Richard himself. Formerly Brightline. The route runs Miami-Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach. The Orlando extension is due to start 2021.  See https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/unveiling-virgin-trains-usa   I have already travelled on the train several times since May 2018 from Miami–highly recommend it!—PK  For current train schedules see www.gobrightline.com  

OTHER….TIPS FOR FLORIDA BRITS

£ £ $$   TIP:  WANT TO SAVE WHEN TRANSFERRING over UK CURRENCY?   DON’T USE YOUR BANK!  Use Moneycorp.  [ I use Moneycorp myself–FABB President.]   TO FIND OUT MORE:    Phone Moneycorp’s Kelly Cutchin on  [863] 207-6616 at their USA HQ in Orlando to ask all your questions.  Or email your query to Kelly Cutchin  kelly.cutchin@moneycorp.com  The pound is shaky.  That affects all expats in Florida who still have UK dealings. To transfer your precious funds, we highly recommend you use the services of Moneycorp.  At lower rates than any bank!  This will save you fees and grief, as we Londoners say!  What your own bank won’t do is save considerable  exchange fees, like Moneycorp.   THE BEST WAY:   Moneycorp, the UK company with an office in Florida and droves of satisfied Florida clients. It is the only UK currency exchange company licenced to deal in 50 states.   Many expat Brits here have used this currency service for years and report huge savings and satisfaction.    Moneycorp’s HQ is in England.   Posted by the Florida Association of British Business [FABB].  Moneycorp have been trusted members since 2005.  

►►  YOUR UK PENSION:  ARE YOU OVER 55?  DID YOU PAY INTO A UK COMPANY/PRIVATE PENSION?    Do you know whether and how you can access your lump sum and bring it over to the USA?   For a FREE review of your UK pension contact Mark Solomons in Florida with Florin Pensions direct on [561] 793-1311 or via email  msolomons@florinpensions.com  On Subject line put: “To Mark Solomons—UK pension query”.    Include your name + city + phone + a sentence about the type of company/private pension you paid into. Mark is a longtime member of the Florida Association of British Business.  As FABB’s UK pensions expert he has unfrozen many pensions for USA expats over the years.